Clash erupts during YC protest march to Kasaragod Collectorate

Tension prevailed during a Youth Congress (YC) march to the Kasaragod Collectorate on Monday (January 5), held in protest against the State government’s alleged attempts to derail the SIT probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case and the Centre’s reported move to undermine the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The police used water cannons to disperse protesters who gathered in front of the Collectorate.

The march began around 11.30 a.m. from the District Congress Committee (DCC) office premises. When slogan-shouting protesters reached the Collectorate gate and attempted to breach police barricades, the police responded by deploying water cannons. Some protesters tried to scale the Collectorate wall and enter the premises, but were stopped by police using force.

The Youth Congress accused both the Central and State governments of weakening democratic values and pursuing anti-people policies. Following the clash, a heavy police contingent was deployed in the area to prevent further escalation.

The march was inaugurated by DCC vice-president B.P. Pradeep, while Youth Congress district president K.R. Karthikeyan presided over the protest. State secretary Unais Bedakam and other leaders also addressed the gathering.